Method and apparatus for treating fish



c. M. sAvRDA 2,406,907

Fi-led March 8,4 1944 5 Sheets-Shea?l 1 IN V EN TOR. E5 Afl. 614 VRDA A fro/sway G VG.

` CHA/2L Sept. 3, 1946.

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METHOD AND APPARATQS yFOR TREATING FISH Filed March e, 1944 5 sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR CHARL 5 MSA VRD/a BL;

A TTORNEY Sept. 3, 1946.

C. M.v SAVRDA METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH Filed March 8, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR. C/Anes M 5A veo A TTORNE K Sept. 3, 1946. c. M. sAvRDA METHOD ND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH Filed March a, 1944 5 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOA CHAR/.55M 5A wem T TOR/VE X Patented Sept. 3, 1946 METHOD; AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH Charles M. Savrda, Bay Shore, N. Y., vassignor to rIhe Atlantic Coast Fisheries Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation.oi?.y Maine Application March 8, 1944, `Serial No. 525,546

l13 Claims.

This invention relatesto a method and apparatus rfor preparing fish for filleting. More particularly, it relates to a method' of and apparatus for removing the dorsal iins and associated knuckles from sh.

United States Patent No. 2,137,291 discloses an apparatus for removing the dorsal fins and associated knuckles, capable of use as an attachment or in combination with a fish filleting machinev of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,149,021. In the` illustrative embodiment disclosed in United States Patent N o. 2,137,291, there is provided a pair of circular rotatable knives positioned to converge in the upward directionjand to project into the path of movement of a sh as it moves thereover. Each of the knives has secured on its inner face adjacent the periphery in equally spaced positions a series of smooth or roughened gripper blocks. In the operation `of such apparatus, as thesh moves into the range of action of the circular knives, their cutting edges at the very top engage the fish atthe base oi the tail at its back and begin to make con.. verging cuts along the back. This partially cuts out a triangular strip of flesh directly along the longitudinal axis of the and on theopposite sides of the dorsal iins. By reason of the posi'- tioning of the circular knives, the grippingblocks, as they travel to the high point of their circular path, move toward each other. Thus, they grip between them the thin strip of flesh which isbeing out from the back of the sh and pull orstrip it from the iish, breaking it loose along the narrow point of attachment. ,The circular knives continue their cut` throughoutthe, length of the sh, with the gripping blocks breaking the strip of flesh loose.

In the just described mechanism, the gripping blocks intermittently grip the fiesh and hold it for a relatively short period vof time, thereby intermittently and for a relatively short period oftime effecting the pulling and stripping action. During operation, the blocks as they move to the high point of their circular path sometimes kick the iish upwardly and thereby miss gripping the vstrip of flesh.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method andapparatusfor removing the dorsal ns and associated knucklesfrom iish preparatory to illleting. Y

Another object of this invention is to provide means to seize and continuously holda'njd pull the strip oi flesh with thejdorsal fins and knuckles attached thereto `until the entire strip is removed from the sh.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved drive mechanism for the rotary knives, and means associated therewith for continuously holding and pulling the strip of ilesh dened by the incisions made bythe knives.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent hereinafter.

The above objects are, in general, accomplished by a pair of circular rotatable knives positioned s o as to make converging incisions on opposite sides ofthe dorsal iins in the back of a fish, each knife being provided on its inner face with a scroll having a spiral 'rib preferably sharpened to constitute a 'cuttingxedga and a helical groove. The

, helical groove is providedwith a plurality of leadlends, adjacent the outer periphery thereof, whereby the lstrip of flesh, dened by the incisions made by the knives, will upon engaging one of the lead-in ends be caused to enter the helical groove between the spiral ribs in one or both of the scrolls, particularly when Ythe knives and scrolls; aremoved toward each other. The dorsal iins'are gripped and held by the spiral ribs and the knuckles are caused to enter the helical groove. The scrolls, when the knives are moved toward eachother, mill the skin between the incisions. As the operation continues, the strip togetherwith the -ns andassociated knuckles seized bythe scrolls are, due to the rotation of the scroll-s, caused to advance downwardly and are thereby placed and heldv under tension (downward). This action conti-nues until the fish reaches the de'capita-ated` end, at which time the stripV containing the dorsal fins and associated knucklesgis removed;

Due to the factthat `the circular knives are disposedin an `upwardly convergingv direction, the scrolls are n'riadeofv a conical shape so that, in position in `the apparatus; the upper portion of each scroll willwbedisposed in a substantially verticaldireetionandlparallel to the other.

vEach circular knife, together with the scroll associatedtherewith, is? driven from a motor by a drivernechanisi and is adapted to be intermittenti-y movedtdward and away from the other circular knife-and scroll at predetermined times, asr more full-y hereinafter explained.

Meansare also providedt`o position the decapitated fish', back downward and tail leading, and tojfeed the iish insuch position through the zone off action of-y the circular knives. To insure contact4 between the i'lsh andthe circular knives, hold-down means are also provided'.

l The apparatus for` removing the dorsal fins and associated knucklesv constituting one phase of this invention is capable of use as a separate maedly secured to the sleeve 68 and is positioned chine or in combination with a fish lleting maon the hub 16. The cap 14 and the hub 18 cochine, for example of the type disclosed in United operate with the shoulder 16 in the sleeve 68 States Patent No. 2,149,021. to constitute a support for the ball-bearing 13 The specific details of the invention will now which carries the shaft 26. be described in connection with the drawings For reasons which will become apparent, it is wherein an illustrative embodiment thereof is necessary to reciprocate the rotary knife 36 and shown and wherein: the scroll 38. As previously mentioned, the sleeve Figure 1 is a view of the mechanism, partly in 68 is slidably carried in the housing 5, and the section and partly in side elevation, with some means for effecting the sliding movement will parts broken away for clarity; now be described.

Figure 2 is a top View thereof; As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the sleeve 63 is Figure 3 is a side elevation of the dorsal 'lnprovided with a pair of oppositely disposed ears removing mechanism; 80. A link 84 is secured at one end thereof to an Figure 4 is an end elevation looking to the left 15 ear 80 by a pin 82. The other end of the link of Figure 3, some of the parts being omitted for 84 is connected to a leg 86 of a yoke 88 which purpose of clarity; is secured to a pivot shaft Si! which passes there- Figure 5 is a vertical section of one-half of the through and is carried in spaced bearings 9| dorsal iin-removing mechanism to show the dewhich are suspended from a support 222. It will tails of construction thereof; be noted that when the pivot shaft is rotated, Figure 6 is a section taken on line VI--VI of the movement thereof will be transmitted Figure 5; through the links to the sleeve 68 and cause Figure '1 is a front elevation of a scroll; the latter to move in the direction dictated by Figure 8 is a partial, enlarged section of the the direction of rotation of the pivot shaft 96. knife and scroll assembly; and The pivot shaft 90 is designed to be actuated Figure 9 is a (exaggerated) partial end elethrough a yoke 92 which at the top thereof is vation showing the relationship between a fish loosely mounted on said pivot shaft 50, the lower and the cutters with a portion of the cut strip end of the yoke 92 being provided with a cam 94,

engaged in the scrolls. hereinafter more fully explained. A cam mem- Referring now to the drawings wherein like ber 96 is keyed to the shaft 90 and is adjustably reference numerals designate like parts, the refsecured to the yoke 92. As shown in Figure 6, erence numerals i and 2 designate the side memthe cam member 96 is provided with slots |00 bers and legs respectively of the frame on which which cooperate With lag screws |02 carried by the apparatus constituting this invention is the yoke S2. Upon movement of the yoke 92 mounted. As shown in the drawings, on each side relative 4to the cam member 96, the extent of member l there is mounted a casting 4 which movement imparted to the pivot shaft Se can be is provided at the top thereof with an integral, adjusted. The screws |62 lock the cam 96 to the downwardly inclined housing 5. The casting 4 yoke 92 after the desired adjustment has been may be vertically adjusted by the adjusting screw made. 6 and locked into the adjusted position by screws 40 For facilitating the sliding of the sleeve 68 in 1 cooperating with slots 9. Since the specific dethe housing 5, the sleeve 6B is provided with a key tails of each of the mechanisms associated with |66 which slides in a key-way |08 in the housand carried by each of the castings 4 and the ing 5. I housings 5 are the same, for convenience only The sleeve 6B is provided with an adjustable one of such mechanisms will be described herein. stop which, inthe form shown, is a nut |09 At one end, the housing 5 is provided with a threadedly secured thereon and which cooperates ange lil which is secured by means of bolts I2 with a shoulder H6 of the housing 5 to limit the to a supporting ring I4 of a motor i6. The motor movement of the sleeve 68 and the shaft 26 in a shaft i3 is provided with a gear 26 which meshes forward direction. with an internal gear 22 secured by a bolt 24 to 50 A lever |2 iS DVOG/llly mounted on a pivot ||4 one end of a shaft 26. The gear is provided with Carried by the frame- Orle enel of the lever l |2 a hub 2l which is keyed to the motor shaft I8 is provided with a head H6. Intermediate the by a key 23. On the opposite end of the shaft heed and pivot, the lever ||2 is provided with a 25, a knife holder 28 is secured to the shaft 26 threaded member ||1 having an eye ||8 in which by means of a bolt 39. The front of the knife one end of a spring |26 is positioned. The other holder A2S is provided with an annular flange 32 end of the spring |20 is positioned in an eye |22 which extends through a central bore 34 of a cirinthe element |24 carried by a flange |26 of the cular knife 36, and also extends into a central housing 5. A mit |23 adjustebly Secures the aperture of a scroll 38. The circular knife 36 and threaded member |1 to the lever i2. The lever the scroll 33 are fastened from the rear thereof 60 ||2 below its pivot H4 is provided with a block by bolts 46 to a vertical flange 42 of the knife |30 Which cooperates with a boss |32 on the holder 2S. rEhe knife holder1 28 is also provided casting 4 to limit rearward movement of the with a sleeve 44 which embraces the portion of sleeve 68 and the shaft 26. By means of the bolt the shaft '.26 designated by the reference numeral |34 and the nut |35, the leVer ||2 may be ad- 48 and is keyed thereto by the key 50, A cap 65 justed. Itis to be noted that the head IIB may, ei! is disposed on the sleeve 44, and the free end if the movement is suiiicient, also engage the of the sleeve 44 and the shoulder 64 constitute lange |49 0f the internal geel 22- If desired, side supports for a ball-bearing 66 for the shaft the block |30 may be moved to its outer extreme 26. It is to be noted that the cap so is threadposition and the end |42 0f the lever |12 may be edly secured to a sleeve 68 which is slidably posl- 70 manually depressed Whereby the sleeve and shaft tioned in the housing 5. will be moved (to the left in Figure 5) and permit The internal gear 22 is provided with a hub easy access to the knife and holder when desired, 10 which embraces the shaft 26 and is secured as, for example, when the knives are to be thereto by a key 12. A cap 14, similar to the cap changed.

at the opposite end of the shaft, is thread- 75 Each rotary knife 36 is beveled, as indicated by the reference` numeral |521, on the rear face thereof to form the cutting edge.

The rotary knives 36 are designed to make incisions, in the back of the iish on each side ofthe dorsal fins, which converge upwardly in the sh. Accordingly, the housing 5, which as previously described carries the shaft 26 andV drive means therefor, is. mounted on an angle, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The diame-ter of the scroll 38 at its base is slightly less than the diameter of the front face of the cutting knife 36 on which it is disposed'. Since the circular rotatable knives 36 are4v disposed so that .they converge in an upward direction and thereby make converging incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal fins, each scroll 3B is designed, as shown in Figures. 4 and 5, so` that when it is` positioned and secured in operative position as described, the passage |56' formed between the two faces of the scrolls in opposed relationship just below the high point of the knives will be substantially vertical. With this in view, each scroll 38v is made in the general, shape of a frustum of av shallow cone provided with a central aperture whereby it can be seated on the ange 32 of the knife holder, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In other words, the front face of each scroll tapers downwardly from the central aperture thereof. The inclined face of each scroll 38 is provided with a spiral rib |60, the successive spirals being spaced and thereby forming a helical groove or passageway |62, which is provided with a plurality, such as four or more, of lead-ins |64 positioned equidistantly around the periphery. Except for the portion of the spiral rib |60 which forms the lead-ins |64, the remainder thereof is of the same height. Preferably, the spiral rib is tapered so as to provide a cutting edge. The helical groove |62 is of a Width suiiicient to accommodate a nn knuckle. It is to be noted that each scroll 33 is provided with a concentric projection |65 which serves to prevent the ribbon of flesh or skin, or any part thereof, from passing between the scrolls 33.

A decapitated fish, tail leading, is fed through the zone of action of the rotary knives of the scroll associated therewith. Various means for positioning the iish and feeding it through the apparatus which constitutes this invention may be utilized. An illustrative mechanism for these purposes will now be described.

At 263 is :a shaft extending transversely of the bed or frame and journaled in suitable bearings mounted on the side members but not shown. Mounted on the shaft arev two pairs of sprockets 204 over which the endless chains 207 pass. As will be seen from Figure 4,. there are two pairs ofV these chains 201 which extend substantially horizontally from the sprockets 262` to another set of sprockets toward the left in Figure 1, but not shown. The shaft 233 may be rotated'from any suitable power source in any desired manner.

Mounted on each pair of chains 201, and trans versely aligned, are a pair of blocksV or carriers 268 which in detailed construction are somewhat similar to those illustrated in United StatesrPat-s ent No. 2,149,021; The blocks or carriers arev provided with side extensions 225 which are attached at their terminal extensions to the chain pairs, as will be seen particularly in- Figure 4. These side' extensionsl terminateV inspaced relation to the main body portion of the blocks, as is clear from Figure 4, to provide a channel or passage into which spaced-plates 263- pass. These plates- 239 extend longitudinally ofthemachine,

a pair on each, side andverticallysnaced, as; is

clear from FiguresflV and 4.1 l

As shown inFigure 4, these plates are merely` long strips or bars, preferably of Bakelite, positioned; so that the blocks or carriers 2i|8` may slidetherealong in travelling both on the upper and lower levels of.' their path of travel. By this arrangement, the blocks 23.8 are caused to move along straight lines, and areI not allowed to follow theA curved path whichwould otherwise naturally result from thesaggingv of the; chains. The pairsi of strips 233 are supported at oppositesides'l of' the, frame and are; held in proper spaced rela.-l tion by means of connecting members 2||1which are supported from the body of the frame by arms or brackets (not shown) Each block or carrier 208 is provided'witha channel therethrough. extending transverselyV of the path of travel of the chains in which arev reciprocally mounted bars or rods 2|2 which terminate: in enlarged plate-like ends, 2|5 which have a series` of sharp projections 2| 6 on theface thereof. Journaled, on the oppositev end of each plunger is a pair of rollers 2 3 and 2 d.

As will be seen from Figures 1 and 2, there4 is secured to theA ends of the side members a pair of curved arms or brackets 2|'| which extend up over the guide plates Zlilr and have formed on the outer edges carnming` surfaces 2|8. These camming surfaces 218 are. so positioned as. to be en gaged by the rollers 2|4 as the blocks 238` swing along a curved path from the lowery level to the upper level in their( path ofi travel. Supported on the side members i, as will be seen in Figure 4, and exi-,ending` alongside the path of travel of the blocks on the lowei` level are camming bars 2 i9 which are positioned to engage the rollers 2|-4 throughout their path of travel along the lower level. Extending,` along the sides of the machine and parallel to the upper level of travel of the blocks; are angle irons 222, the inner faces of which act as camming surfaces for the rollers 213. At the initial ends of the angle bars 222 are cam plates 22| which have curved camming edges 22m which merge into the camming surfaces of the angle irons. Theadjacent portions of the camming surfaces 2|8 of the curved arms 2H are similarly curved, as shown at 2i1d. It. is to be` noted that the roller 2|4 passes in the passage formed `between the cams 2 i'ia and 22`ia Ibefore. thefroller` 2|3 engages the inner face of he angle bar 222.

At 223; is a supply chute orl guide upon which the sh is placed for introduction into the machine back downward and tail leading. Pivot,- ally mounted on the sides of the chute are a pair of gates 224 which swing on vertical pivot pins 225 supported from the sides of the curved arms 2|'|.

As is clear from Figure l, a pair of coiled springs 226 are provided and arranged so as to cause the gates 224 to converge in thev direction of move* :ment of a fish as it passes therebetween; It is to be noted that any suitable form of gate construction may be used.

Extending between the side frames is a brace 23|) which is positioned to support the forwardv end of the trough 223 and to pivotally support at 23| a yoke 232 upon which is mounted a dorsal iin straightener 233. The construction of this straightener and guide is illustrated and described in full detail in United States Patent No. 2,149,021.

A grooved roller 250 is rotatably mounted in a forked member 2.52 mounted on a rod 254 which is pivotjed. at` 256 to a standard; 253 mounted on 2 the frame of the machine. The roller 250 is designed to engage the top of the fish (belly portion) and maintain it in position as it passes through the cutting zone of the rotary knives.V Due to the irregularity in the form and shape of the various fish subjected to the treatment, the roller 25E] will be raised and lowered. In order to cushion the drop of the roller, there is provided a cup 260 mounted on a suitable upright 262 carried on the frame of the machine. A rubber pad 2'54 is positioned in the cup and is adapted to be engaged by a flat member 266 secured .by a screw 268 to the member 210 carried on the rod 254.

In order to prevent the roller 25E! from contacting the blocks 268, there is provided a cam member 280 which is -pivoted at 233 on the standard 25B. The cam 23E] is provided with a vertically extending arm 284 which terminates slightly below the arm 254. Thus, when the cam 28E] is raised, the arm 284 will engage the rod 254 and thereby elevate the roller. Means are provided to permit the arm 284 to move laterally when the cam 280 is rotated about the pivot 282. As shown, the arm 284 is provided with a pad 286 having a vertical slot 238. A bolt 29E) extends through the vertical slot 238 and also through a horizontal slot 292 in an ear 294 carried by the standard 262. A similar roller construction is provided beyond the cutting knives so as to maintain the sh in position.

In operation, a decapitated fish, back downward and tail leading, is introduced into the trough 223 through which it is fed and maintained in vertical position. As the tail of the fish leaves the trough 223, it is gripped on both sides thereof by the plate-like ends 2|5 and conveyed through the machine. The iins of the sh are straightened by the fin straightener 233 and, while in this straightened position, the fish is fed through the zone of action of the circular cutting knives 36. At this stage the cutting knives are spaced at the top thereof a distance sufficient to permit the tail to pass therethrough. After the tail of the yoke 92 is actuated and the motion thereof is transmitted to the sleeve, from which it is transmitted to the shaft 26 to move the rotary knives toward each other for a slight distance and suincient to make shallow converging incisions on opposite sides of and close to the iin knuckles. At the time the knives are moved toward each other, the scrolls 38 mill the skin on the strip defined by the incisions. The free end of the strip is then seized and held by the scrolls (see Figure 9). As the rotary knives and scrolls rotate, the free end of the strip passes through one of the lead-ins into the helical groove. Continued rotation causes the strip held by the scrolls to move downwardly. The downward movement of the strip imposes a pull (downward tension) thereon, which tension is continuously maintained until the knives reach the end of the decapitated end of the sh, at which time the strip will be removed from the sh. It is to be noted that as the strip is fed downwardly by the helical grooves, each dorsal iin knuckle is received in the helical grooves and also fed downwardly and maintained under tension. At the time that the iiesh strip together with the associated n knuckles are removed from the sh, the yoke 9?. is actuated and the motion thereof transmitted to the sleeve, which motion is transmitted to the shaft and the knives and scrolls retracted to the fish has passed therebetween, the

8 original position, and the cycle is repeated with each sh.

The yoke 92 is actuated through the cam 94 by the roller 2l3 of the grippers, the cam 94 being of a contour to impart the desired movements to the yoke 92. During this operation, the roller 214 is in engagement with the camming bar 219. The carriers 208 are positioned at such positions on the chains and the speeds of the chains are so selected that the aforementioned operations can be effected. It is to be understood that the yoke 92 may be actuated at predetermined times by means other than those carried by the carriers 208. l

Since it is obvious that various changes and modications may be made in the above description without departing from the nature or spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A method of treating fish which comprises advancing a decapitated fish, tail leading and back downward, along a dened path of travel, making a pair of incisions in the back on opposite sides of the dorsal ins as the fish is travelling, severing the skin transversely of the incisions, thereafter gripping the free end of the strip defined by the incisions, imposing a downward tension on said strip, and maintaining said tension on said strip until the incisions reach the decapitated end of the fish, whereby said strip together with the dorsal fins and associated knuckles are removed.

2. A method of treating sh which comprises advancing a decapitated sh, tail leading and back downward, along a dened path of travel, making a pair of incisions in the back on opposite sides of the dorsal fins as the fish is travelling, severing the skin transversely ofthe incisions, thereafter gripping the free end of the strip deiined by the incisions, and continuously pulling the strip downwardly until the incisions reach the decapitated end of the fish, whereby said strip together with the dorsal fins and associated knuckles are removed.

3. In a machine for treating fish wherein a decapitated iish is fed, tail leading and back downward, means for making incisions along the back of the iish on opposite sides of the dorsalv fins, means to sever the skin between the incisions, means to seize an end of the strip defined by the incisions, and means to continuously feed said end downwardly until the dorsal fins and associated knuckles are removed.

4. In a machine for treating iish wherein a decapitated fish is fed, tail leading and back downward, a pair of rotating circular knives, means to angularly position said knives to make incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal ns in the back of a fish fed thereover, means to sever the skin between the incisions, means to seize an end of the strip dened by the incisions, and means to continuously feed said end downwardly until the dorsal fins and associated knuckles are removed.

5. In a machine for treating fish wherein a decapitated iish is fed, tail leading and back downward, a pair of circular rotating knives, means to angularly position said knives to make incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal fins in the back of a iish fed thereover, and means on each of the opposed faces of said knives, the free face of said means being tapered in a downward direction from the center thereof and profree face of said means being tapered in a downward direction Vfrom the center thereof and provided with means to seize and continuously pull the strip defined by the incisions downwardly, the taper of each of said faces being such that adjacent the high point of the knives said face will be in a substantially vertical position.

7. In a machine for treating iish wherein a decapitated sh is fed, tail leading and back downward, a pair of circular rotating knives,

means to angularly position said knives to make incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal ns in the back of a fish fed thereover, and a frusoconically shaped scroll having its base disposed on the inner face of each knife, said scroll having a spiral rib and a helical groove therebetween.

8. In a machine for treating sh wherein a decapitated sh is fed, tail leading and back downward, a pair of circular rotating knives,

means to angularly position said knives to make incisions on oppositesides of the dorsal fins in the back of a fish fed thereover, and a frustoconically shaped scroll Vhaving itsbase disposed on the inner face of each knife, said scroll having a spiral rib and a helical groove therebetween, said groove being provided with a plurality of lead-ins.

9. In a machine for treating iish wherein a decapitated fish is fed, tail leading and back downward, a pair of circular rotating knives, means to angularly position said knives to make incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal fins in the back of a iish fed thereover, and a frustoconically shaped scroll having its base disposed on the inner face of each knife, said scroll havconically shaped scroll having its base disposed on the inner face of each knife, said scroll having a spiral rib and a helical groove therebetween, said groove being provided with a plurality of lead-ins, the taper of said scroll being such that adjacent the high points 0f the knives the ribbed surface will be in a substantially vertical position.

11. In a machine for treating fish wherein a decapitated fish is fed, tail leading and back downward, a pair of circular rotating knives, means to angularly position said knives to make incisions on opposite isdes of the dorsal ns in the back of a sh fed thereover, a frusto-conically shaped scroll having its base disposed on the inner face of each knife, said scroll having a spiral rib and a helical groove therebetween, and means to securev said scroll and said knife together from the back thereof, whereby the ribbed surface will be free.

12. A iish treating machine comprising a pair of oppcsitely disposedshafts, means to support each shaft so that the longitudinal axis thereof is at an angle to the horizontal, a circular knife positioned on each of the opposing ends of said shafts whereby said knives will make incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal ns in the back of a sh fed thereover, a frusto-conically shaped scroll having its base disposed on the inner face of each of said knives, said scroll having a spiral rib and a helical groove, an internal gear secured to the other end of each of said shafts,

and a motor having a gear on its shaft cooperating with said internal gear to drive said shaft.

13. A iish treating machine comprising a pair of oppcsitely disposed shafts, a sleeve on each shaft, means transmitting sliding movement of each of said sleeves to its respective shaft, a housing for each sleeve, each housing being splined to a sleeve and positioned so that the longitudinal axis thereof is at an angle to the horizontal, a circular knife positioned on each of the opposing ends of ysaid shafts where said knives will make incisions on opposite sides of the dorsal ns in the back of a fish fed thereover, a frusto-conically shaped scroll having its base disposed on the inner face of each of said knives, said scroll having a spiral rib and a helical groove, an internal gear secured to the other end of each of said shafts, a motor having a, gear on its shaft cooperating with said internal gear to drive said shaft, and means to impart sliding movement to said sleeve at predetermined periods of time.

CHARLES M. SAVRDA. 

